Renault Trucks recently announced that it will deploy its Optiview Remote Expert Solution at each one of its 71 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Optiview is an augmented-reality (AR) system that consists of a RealWear HMT-1 head-mounted tablets and Onsight software, both from AR specialist Librestream, to enable remote servicing. The solution is already in use at a few Renault dealerships, but the company ultimately made the decision to expand due to the “highly successful deployment,” according to Derek Leech, service market and retail development director at Renault Trucks.
The added benefit of Optiview is that the technician wearing the device can use both hands while performing maintenance or repairs while still having access to the information they need. The concept is that two (or more) heads are better than one, so technicians can speak with Renault support teams via live video to troubleshoot and diagnose issues, request advice, process warranty claims, and more, all remotely.
More than an increase in efficiency, this AR system can also minimise downtime for truck owners and reduce “vehicle off road standing costs” that add up to “£260 per day on average,” according to Renault. Some dealerships are even looking into using Optiview with customers in remote roadside assistance applications. This is only the beginning for Renault, as the company has plans to expand use of the system across its entire global dealer network.
Fewer In-Person Visits, Reduced Emissions
“Prior to Optiview, approximately 10 to 15% of warranty-based service calls required one of our specialised field engineers to travel to the dealership,” says Andrew Walker, technical and warranty manager at Renault Trucks UK & Ireland. “With this new service, we expect a five-fold reduction of in-person visits, resulting in significant time savings for all parties – operators, dealers and Renault Trucks. Other benefits from this approach to customer support will be a reduction in green-house emissions as a result of fewer miles travelled, which meets the Renault Trucks vision of improvements for the global environment.”
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